Israel holding remains of about 1,700 Palestinians for potential future exchanges: Report

Israel is holding the bodies of around 1,700 Palestinians for possible use in future exchanges, despite no Israeli captives being held by Hamas, the Haaretz daily reported. The figure was raised during recent discussions within Israel’s security establishment, the newspaper said, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Shin Bet chief David Zini supports retaining the bodies in case Israelis are taken captive or go missing in the future, a position also backed by the Israeli army, according to the report.